FEDERICO HIGUAÍN EARNS SECOND CONSECUTIVE MLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS

COLUMBUS -- Crew Designated Player Federico Higuaín was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the second consecutive week, Week 26 of the 2012 MLS season. Higuaín recorded four assists in two matches last week putting the Black & Gold back into the playoff race.

After contributing three goals and two assists in his first three matches, Higuaín, assisted on the 41st minute header by Josh Williams and the stoppage time Eddie Gaven goal in the win at Philadelphia on August 29.

On Saturday, September 1, the Designated Player proceeded to record two more assists. In the 80th minute, he sent a perfect free kick into the box for Chad Marshall who scored the game tying goal. Then in stoppage time he brought the ball down the left side and, as he beat Impact defender Alessandro Nesta, he crossed it into the box finding Emilio Renteria who leaped up to head it far post, beating Troy Perkins and giving the Crew its fourth consecutive win

The award is the second consecutive one for Higuaín. He is the third Columbus player to be voted MLS Player of the Week this season, after Emilio Renteria garnered the award in Week 12, and Jairo Arrieta earned it in week 21.

The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from NASR. The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com/ .

Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members, it won its first MLS Cup championship in 2008 and has also won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup and MLS Supporters’ Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. It is now in its 17th season overall and 14th at first-of-its-kind Crew Stadium.